The Boys are Back in Town – Thin Lizzy
A heavy metal band from Ireland with a black lead singer/bassist (the late Phil Lynott, RIP 1986), Thin Lizzy was truly unique. They are also another one of those artists that radio forgets recorded and played more than one song, in this case, “The Boys are Back in Town.” Other great songs include “Jailbreak” (at least Ariel, my pathetic bar band on Kauai thought “Jailbreak” was great when we were butchering it every night as … Read entire article »
Love Hurts – Nazareth
The Everly Brothers were one of the most popular artists of the early rock era. Simon and Garfunkel, The Beatles and even Hall and Oates were just a few artists who were heavily influenced by them. “Bye-Bye Love,” “Cathy’s Clown” and “All I Have to do Is Dream” were only a few of the Everlys’ big hits. Certainly their most famous song was “Wake Up Little Suzie” in 1957. The lyrics about a teenage couple … Read entire article »
Movin’ – Brass Construction
Disco is the greatest form of music in really tiny doses. Or the most disposable. A song like “Movin’” by Brass Construction is exhibit A in that argument. When people first heard this song on the dance floors of disco clubs, they lapped it up like a starving kitten snarfs Meow Mix. Then they let it settle in, percolate a bit, and discovered they liked it. A lot. Movin’ by Brass Construction reached #14 on the … Read entire article »
Wham Bam Shang-a-Lang – Silver
This gibberish could only have become a hit in the 1970s. Wham Bam Shang-a-Lang? Are you serious? What does Wham Bam Shang-a-Lang possibly mean? Listen to the first verse and it appears Wham Bam Shang-a-Lang means the couple needs to stay together. Or go grocery shopping. Or file their taxes. I’m unsure at this point. Verse two seems to imply things are not as they seem even though “baby has been so good to me” but “please … Read entire article »
Play That Funky Music – Wild Cherry
It’s time to honor one of the all-time classic one-hit wonders. “Play That Funky Music” by Wild Cherry sounded amazing when it was released in 1976 and still sounds amazing today. It’s white-boy funk at its finest and makes people shake their booties, even if they detest 1970s music. Ask any songwriter and it’s likely they’ll tell you that one or two of their best songs were written in a fit of inspiration. While it’s … Read entire article »
Welcome Back – John Sebastian
If you were a kid in 1976, Welcome Back Kotter was the greatest show on TV. Better than Happy Days. Better than Good Times. Better than All in the Family. And the theme song, “Welcome Back” by John Sebastian, was a staple on AM radio stations. America fell in love with the Sweathogs that featured Gabe Kaplan and the legendary, Vinnie Barbarino, i.e., John Travolta. Vinnie was the man. With his feathered hair, massive Goody comb … Read entire article »
I’m Easy – Keith Carradine
Academy Award-winning one-hit wonders are fairly rare. A look of Oscar-winning songs reveals the Academy clearly favors proven, conservative choices. But a few one-hit wonder pop songs have been either nominated or awarded the Academy Award for Best Original Song, including: “You Light Up My Life” by Debby Boone (a winner) “Gonna Fly Now” (Theme from Rocky) by Bill Contil (a loser) “Jai Ho” by I’m Easy by A.R. Rahman (a winner) Add today’s entry by … Read entire article »
Filed under: 1970s
Disco Duck – Rick Dees
We love a good novelty song. They’re simple. They’re disposable. They remind you that the American public is often fascinated by supreme silliness. At least for a few weeks. That’s what you hear in “Disco Duck” by Rick Dees. A #1 hit from 1976 that emerged just as disco music was emerging from the gay nightclubs of New York City and appearing on top 40 stations around the country. Click to hear other Billboard number-one hit … Read entire article »
Filed under: 1970s